Method and machine for removing skewed track ties



March 21, 1961 R. E. PAULSON METHOD AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING SKEWED TRACK TIES Filed Feb. 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

BY M March 21, 1961 R. E. PAULSON METHOD AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING SKEWED TRACK TIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1958 I N V EN TOR. 67 W March 21, 1961 R. E. PAULSON METHOD AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING SKEWED TRACK TIES Filed Feb. 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fiwaefl lffa/uaw/ BY m @WYM March 21, 1961 R. E. PAULSON 2,975,726

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING SKEWED TRACK TIES Filed Feb. 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ll l INVENTOR. M 67 W United States Patent N METHOD MACHINE FOR REMOVING SKEWED TRACK TIES Russell E, Paulson, 406N. Maple Ave., Itasca, ill.

Filed Feh. 4, 1958, SenfNo. 713,14;

5 Claims. (Cl. 1-0.4--9) My invention relatesito. a method and machine for handling track ties, and mere partieularly, to a method and apparatus for removing skewed track ties from under the track rails.

My copending application Serial No. 642,538, filed 'I'he present invention is ,directed to improvements in tie removal apparatus, and is further directed in one of its more important aspects' to the removalof skewed ties.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing track ties by shifting them laterally of the trackrails. a

A further principal object of the inventionv is to proor ,shiftingfities out'lfr'om under the rails where this is found to be desirableior necessary.

vide a method and apparatus for facilitating the removal of skewedties. e ,.;Qt her important objectsof; my invention are to provide a tie removalapparatus that is adapted for vertical alignment witha skewedtiete facilitate removal of same, o pr vi aballast rake yi e hat may be Shifted both longitudinally and transversely of the track; and to generally improve on and supplement the-methods and apparatus disclosed in my said copending application.

' ther objectsusesand advantages will besobvious or become apparent froma consideration of; the following a alled.v descrip i n an he accomp nyin r wing thefdra l Figure .1} is a side elevational view ofan embodiment of the, inventionsimilar to that disclosed inmysaid cop adinsapplieat oa, taic the Pr nc pl s o the present invention have been applied; e

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a hydraulic system that may be employed for operating the various r ms 'founi g p rt f. he mach ne ho n F gu Figure 3 is a plan view of the machi shown in tration; I I

Figure- 4 is an 6nd elevational view illustrating the device, disclose; in Said copendiug app ication for re.. movi a t k ie l ra ly of. h t a k;

,Figure- 5, is an end elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1 taken from, the right hand side of Figure 1' with parts broken away for clarity ofillust'ration; Figure 6 is a. perspective View. illustrating the cooperatiorr between the tie grippercarriers of the machine and thecarr-ier for the improved tie removal device;-

=--,Figure-'7 isfa ffragmefntal crosse'sectional viewnlon'g' Figure 1, with partspbroken; away for clarity of -illus- 2,975,726 Paitented Mar 2 1 1961 The truck or wheeled frame 12 generally comprises a pair of longitudinally extending channels 26 secured at their ends to transverse channels 28 as by welding or in any other suitable manner. Wheel axles 30 to which flanged wheels 32 are keyed or otherwise fixed are rotatably secured to beams 26 by an appropriate journalling structure (not shown). The wheeled frame or truck 12 carries a 'power unit 36, such as a gasoline motor, two tanks 38 for hydraulic fluid, pumps 40 on either side of the frame or truck 12 and driven by the motor 36 through belts or chains 42, and-two valve banks 44 to which appropriate piping (not shown) extends from the pumps 40. Appropriate piping (not shown) also extends from thetwo valve banks 44 to the hydraulic rams about to be described.

The tie grippers Along each side of the frame or truck 12 a pair of spaced longitudinally extending beams 50 are secured in place, as by welding them to suitable uprights 52 that are in turn welded to cross beams 28, A transversely extending beam 54 is secured to the ends of beams 50 at each end of the truck or frame by upright angle irons 55.

A'tie gripper supporting structure such as that shown in Figure 6 is mounted between the spaced beams'50 on each side of the vehicle, The tie gripper supporting structure comprises a framework or platform 60 composed in the illustrated embodiment of spaced channels 62 secured together below by plates 64 and 66 and above by angle bars 68 and 70. These elements may be seplate-72 that is welded between the channels 62, a pair of opposed upright angle bars 74 that are fixed to adjacent channels 62 and fixedly carry abutment forming rods 75, and a brace channel member 76 secured between the angle bar 68, channels 62, and the tops of bars 74, in any suitable manner, as by welding.

Each framework or platform 60 slidably carries a'supplemental framework or platform 80, which includes a plate 82 that is positioned below channel members 62, a pair of upright angle bars 84 that are secured to plate 82 and extend upwardly between members 62, abutment forming rods 85 carried by bars 84, a pair of triangular brace plates 86, braced by inclined plate 87, that are on either side of and between angle bars 84 and brace plates 86. The angle bars 88 are positioned above channel members62. Thus, the supplemental framework or the supplemental platform spect to theplatform or framework 60.

platform '80 is'slidably mounted onthe framework or platform 60 and plate 82 and angle members 88 serve as guiding and positioning elementsfor'properly locating or framework S0 with rehe frameworks or platforms 60 0nd each carry a tie engaging member of the types shown in Figure 1, the

member '90 being carried sby f the platform tifi 'and the member 92 being carried by the platform 80. Th'e mem- 1 be rs 99 and 92 in the illustrated embodiment each'com- 3 I prise a length of track rail that is shaved as at 94 to provide a tapering tie engaging end. The tie engaging ends of the members 90 and 92 are formed with projections 96 in any suitable manner, as by applying bead welding in spaced apart relation.

The member90 at its upper end includes a pair of plates 100 secured to each side of the rail head 102 thereof and diverging outwardly from the head. This is done by welding the ends of the plates 100 to the Web 104 of the member 90 (see Figure 3). Plates 106 and 107 are secured to the top and bottom edges of the plates 186 to provide a sort of housing for plates 108 welded to the rail head portion 102 of the member 92. As the ends of the plates 108 that are spaced from the member 92 are welded together, they converge in a direction away from the head 102 of the member 92 and thus are complementary to and fit inside the enclosure formed by the plates 106, 107, and 100. The bases 109 of the members 9G and 92 are received between the abutment forming rods and flanges of the respective upright angle bars 74 and 84 to mount them on their movable platforms (see Figure 3).

As shown in Figure 1, a hydraulic ram 110 is interposed between the plate 72 forming a part of framework or platform 60 and the plate 107 that is secured to the tie engaging member 90.

As best shown in Figure 5, the members 62 are received between truck or frame members 50 on each side of the vehicle. The ends of plates 64 and 66 and angle bars 68 and 70 extend over the respective beams 50 whereby the frames 60 are supported by the members 50.

The platforms 60 also include an abutment plate 112 -to which one end of a hydraulic ram 114 is secured. The

other end of hydraulic ram 114 is secured to a. plate 116 that is fixed to the ends of the beams 50 at one end of the vehicle. At the other end of the vehicle a hydraulic ram 118 is fixed in any suitable manner to and between a plate 120 (see Figure 1) fixed to the framework or platform 80 (between plates 86) and plate 66 of framework or platform '60.

Rams 110, 114, and 118 may be of any conventional type, but ordinarily include a cylinder 124 from which a piston rod 126 extends that is actuated by hydraulic fluid acting on an appropriate piston member of any conventional design.

The rail clamping devices The rail clamping devices 16 are best shown in Figure 4. One of these devices is secured to each end of the frame or truck 12 and since they are identical, only one will be described.

The rail clamp device 16 shown in Figure 4 is the one at the right hand side of Figures 1 and 3. The devices 16 each comprise a pair of pendently mounted rail engaging gripping bars or members 130 and 131 actuated by a hydraulic ram 132 carried by beam 54. The members 130 and 131 are positioned on either side of a track rail 22 and member 130 includes a toe or projection 131a. The member 131 is received between a pair of angle members 134 that are Welded or otherwise fixed on angle member 133 that is fixed to the end beam 54.. Angle members .135 fixed to the respective members 134 form outer guiding abutrnents for the member 131. The gripper member 130 is suspended in a trolley-like structure or platform 136 that is fully described in my said copending application and which includes studs or bolts 145 projecting outwardly ofthe structure a short distance for a purpose hereinafter made clear. The beam 54 slidably carries structure 136. A pair of stops 147 are fixed to member 130 on either side thereof and are proportioned to extend over the structure 136.

A cam member 146 is secured to one of the angle members 134 and extends laterally across the member 130, on which is mounted a cam roller 150 that rests on .the cam surface 152 of the member 146 when stops 147 4 are raised above structure 136. The structure 136 carries a cam plate 160 which is formed with a cam surface 162 on which rests a cam roller. 164 carried by the member 131. The piston rod 165 of ram 132 is secured to the structure 136 in any suitable manner, such as the diagrammatically illustrated connection 163. For purposes of illustration, the ram 132 is shown secured to angle bracket 167, reinforced by plate 169, carried by beam 54. As described in said copending application, as ram 132 is operated to push structure 136 to the left, members 130 and 131 drop to the level of the track rail 22', member 130 is then pushed toward member 131 until the track rail is clamped by these members. When the piston rod 165 is retracted, the member 130 is separated from member 131, and both members then move upwardly to the positions of Figure 4. Toe or projection 131a of member 130 opposes vertical forces tending to draw the track rail from the device 16.

The tie removal devices The tie removal device disclosed in said copending application is generally indicated at 275 in Figure 4 and comprises a clamping device 16, with which is associated a portable spud 250 of any desired shape that is applied between one of the studs of the movable structure 136 and the tie, somewhat as indicated in Figure 4. By drawing the piston rod of ram 132 to the right of Figure 4, the tie to be removed may be forced laterally of the track. Of course, several successive operations of the ram 132 are required to completely remove the tie, and some of the ballast may be removed from around the end of the tie to expedite removal, if nee essary.

My said copending application also describes a rake device 18 which is mounted on a beam that extends between and is pivotally connected to the two platforms 60, appropriate slots being formed in the beam to permit independent movement of the platforms 60.

In accordance with the present invention, the beam of said copending application is removed and a composite beam 174a substituted therefor, which is part of an improved form of tie removal device 280 that operates between platforms 60.

Beam 174a comprises a pair of channels 300 (see Fig ure 6) secured together at their ends by upper and lower plates 302, the latter being formed with elongate slots 304 that receive bolts 306 which secure the beam 174a to the channel members 62 of the platforms 60.

Beam 174a slidably carries a framework or platform 310 (see Figures 5 and 7) which is similar in nature to the platforms 80. Framework or platform 310 comprises an elongate plate 312 that is positioned below channel members 300, a pair of upright angle bars 314 that are secured to plate 312 and extend upwardly between channels 300, abutment forming rods 316 carried by bars 314, a pair of spaced brace plates 318, braced by plate 320, that are secured between the plate 312 and the respective bars 314, and a pair of angle bars 322 on either side of and between bars 314 and brace plates 318 above channel members 300.

Plate 312 may be made sufficiently long to permit angle members 181 of rake device 18 to be fixed thereto, as by welding, the upper ends of members 181 being fixed to an angle bar 330 (see Figure 8) or other suitable structure that may be fixed to platform 310 in any suitable manner, on which ram 172 and rake member of the rake device 18 are mounted.

As indicated in Figure 3, a ram 332 is secured between channel members 300 at one end of beam 174a, ram 332 including piston rod 334 that carries a cross head 336 (see Figure 7) pivotally mounted in appropriate brackets 338 secured between brace plates 318 (see Figure 7).

The platform 310 carries an upright ram 340 (see Figure 5) which includes piston rod 342 that/is connected in respective tanks 38.

V ence in interests of brevity.

i Operation of tie removal a'nd ballast rake devices V 51 any suitable manner, as at 346, to. vertically mgvable tie engaging member or spudv 3:48 which may includlela prongedend' 350. p 4

Preferably,rams 332 and 340 are of the double acting type so that platform 310 may be moved in either .direction transversely of beam 174a and tie engaging memher 348 may be moved up and down as required by the operation of the device.

T hehydraulic system for rams pending application. A conduit'194 extends between a a tank 38 and a pump 40 for each valve bank and a hydraulic conduit'1'96 extends between the pump 40 and a manifold distributing device 198 of anyappropriate description which feeds hydraulic fluid tothe individual valves 200 of, therespective valve banks that control. the feed of'hydraulic liquid to'the various hydraulically op erated components of the invention. On return, hydraulic fluid passes from the individual valves 200 to appropriate fluid flow connecting devices'20 2 from which the hydraulicfluid passes through appropriate respective conduits 204 to return conduits '206and thence tothe Each valve bank controls 132 and one of the banks controls ram 172 and ram 332, while the other of the banks" controls ram 340. and hydraulic motor 230 which motivatesthe vehicle Lat the 'traek's -i,

An appropriate form of valve 200is fully illustrated.

and described in my said copending application, and fura as 110, 114, 11s lad ther description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. As a practical matter, the actual hydraulic circuiting employed may be of any conventional type that insures that the individual rams can be independently actuated and that they are all double acting. The actual hydraulic fluid conduits and flow control valves employed may be of any conventional type and may be arranged as desired about the frame or truck 12. An appropriate platform for the apparatus operator may be provided as at 229 in Figure 1.

The remainder of the structural features illustrated in the drawings are fully described in said copendin'g'appli acts-172s the lowerportion of Figure 3 and the left of Figure 5. Rams 3,40 and 332 may then be operated'as mentioned above to achieve further removal of the tie. As in the case of the removal device disclosed in said copending application, some of the ballast may be removed from around the end ofthe tie to expedite removal, if necessary, and of course, the tie is first unspiked. I v

Alternately, device 280 may be operated to force the tie to the left of Figure 5, rather than to the right thereof, if'so desired.

Of, course, my improved tie removal device may be employed to remove ties that are not skewed. Since the rake device 18 is mounted on platform 3 10, it may be moved transversely of the track to apply the rake to the ballast as required. As disclosed in my said copending application, the rake device is employed to scratch a shallow trench adjacent the center of the track before the tie is shifted. This precludes the possibility ofa tie resting on the ballast at the center of the track when it is shifted, which would result in a tie fracture at its center when a load is applied to, the track. The rake 1-70 is raised and lowered by actuating ram 172 by manipulation of its valve 200 and the rake is moved longitudinally of the track by actuating rams 114.

The operation of tie grippers 14 is fully described in my said copending application.

An important advantage of my invention is that the -tie'removal structures associated with vehicle 10 are positioned between the rails of the track, and they may be positioned for moving the vehicle to the work site by I merely moving them to retracted position. Spud 250 of device 275 is easily removable and carried, for instance, on platform 229. a

- While several forms of devices have been illustrated to establish a purchase with a tie to be removed, generally speakingithe principles ofthe invention are applicable regardless of the specific tie engaging device employed. '.F.Ol' instance, the removable spud typedevice V 275 may be substituted for the spud 348 and the platform 210 that carries same. I also contemplate that rake device 18 may be fixed directly to beam 174a in such a manner that'it does not interfere with the movement of platform 310.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate my invention and the manner in which it may be performed, and the invention is not to be limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited since those skilled in the cation, which is herebyspecifically incorporated by refer-h As mentioned above, the tie removal device 275 'disclosed in said copending application is employed by applying spud 250 between the tie and movable structure 136 of one ofthe clamping devices 16. By operating the ram 132 to draw rod 165 come right of Figure 4, the

tie to be removed may be forced laterally of the track.

The tie removal device 280 of the present application is particularly adapted for removing skewed'ties, such as the skewed tie 351 diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3.. By appropriately moving platforms 60 forwardly and rearwardly of the truck, it is possible to vertically align the beam 174a with skewed tie 351. ,Ram 340 is then actuated to drive the pronged end 350 into the tie, and ram 332 is actuated toforce the tietoward the top of Figure 3 and to the right of Figure 5. As'soon as the tie has been moved as far as the'horizontal channels 26 will permit it to move, ram 340 is actuated to withdraw the pronged end'350 10f member 348 from the tie, and then ram 332 is actuated to return platform 310 to art who have my disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A track handling machine comprising a wheeled frame including spaced members extending longitudinally of the track, a platform mounted on each of said members for travelling movement longitudinally of the track with respect to the frame, a beam carried by said platforms and extending generally transversely of said machine, said beam being pivotally connected to said platforms, a platform mounted on said beam for travelmaybe actuated to drive said spud into the skewed tie,

and said last mentioned platform actuated to move the skewed tie transversely of the track.

2. A machine for removing skewed ties from a railroad track comprising a wheeled frame'incl-uding spaced members extending longitudinally of the track, a platform mounted on each of said members for travelling move ment longitudinally of the track with respect to the frame, ram means for independently shifting said platforms with respect to each other and to the track, a beam carried by said platforms and extending between said platforms across the track, said beam being pivotally connected to said platforms, a further platform mounted on said beam for travelling movement longitudinally thereof, further ram means for shifting said further platform longitudinally of said beam, a generally vertical spud carried 'by said further platform, said spud being mounted for movement generally vertically of the track, and ram means carried by said further platform for shifting said spud between upper and lower positions and for driving said spud into a tie, whereby the first mentioned platforms may be shifted to align said beam over a skewed tie over which the machine has been positioned, the last mentioned ram means may be actuated to drive said spud into the skewed .tie, and said further platform actuated to move the to said platform and adapted to move said platform lon-- gitudinally of said supporting member, rail clamping devices carried by said frame adjacent eachend thereof,

and a spud member adapted to be detachably' secured between said platform and a track tie over which the platform is disposed, said platform comprising a clamping member of one of said clamping devices whereby, actuation of said ram efiects movement of the tie transversely of the track when said spud member is secured between said platform and the tie.

4. A machine for removing skewed track ties comprising a wheeled frame, a supporting member carried bysaid frameand extending generally transversely of said frame, means for aligning said supporting member with the longitudinal axis of a skewed tie, horizontally acting ram means carried by said member, and tie engaging means mounted on said member for movement longitudinally of the member, said ram means being secured to said tie engaging means, whereby, when said'memher is aligned with a skewed tie and said tie engaging means is secured to the skewed tie, and is forced along said member by said ram means, said tie is moved sidewise of the track.

5. A track handling machine adapted to remove ties comprising a wheeled frame including spaced members extending longitudinally of the track, a supporting mem-' her that extends between said spaced members, a horizontally acting ram mounted on said supporting member, a platform mounted on said supp'orting'member for travelling movement longitudinally thereof, said ram being secured to said platform and adapted to move said platform in either direction longitudinally of said supporting member, a substantially vertically movable spud member carried by said platform, and ram means for raisingand lowering said spud member and for driving said spud member vertically into the tie whereby the tie is firmly gripped and may be moved longitudinally of its axis in either direction by operation of said horizontally acting ram.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,732,568 Robb Oct. 22, 1929 2,132,176 McWilliams Oct. 4, 1938 2,283,929 Hughes May 26, 1942 2,735,375 Hesemann Feb. 21, 1956 2,777,220 Bates Jan. 15, 1957 2,818,820 Williams Jan. 7, 1958 2,828,699 Fox Apr. 1, 1958 

